March 19, 2025 by Hao Nguyen. The air changes when we honor our dead. Burning incense fills our home during giỗ (death anniversary ceremony), creating an invisible connection to those who came before us. My family arranges offerings with care—xôi...
January 10, 2025 by Hao Nguyen Growing up in Vietnam, my grandfather often shared stories with me as we sat together in the middle of his rice field. One afternoon, as the cicadas buzzed and the warm sunlight cast a golden glow over the fields, he told me about a...
January 8, 2025 by Hao Nguyen Living now in America has presented numerous academic and professional opportunities that have profoundly enriched my life. However, this transition has caused me to drift away from some cherished Vietnamese family practices and...
December 18, 2024 by Hao Nguyen I recently watched the Vietnamese news on facebook, where they highlighted a concerning trend: many children in Vietnam are increasingly speaking English over Vietnamese. They pointed out that the preference for English often leads to a...
December 6, 2024 by Hao Nguyen When I moved to the United States four years ago as a Vietnamese-American student, it felt overwhelming, like trying to find my way in a vast, unfamiliar world. Adapting to a new culture taught me a lot about identity and the importance...
December 4, 2024 by Hao Nguyen As I think back to my early childhood, I always reflect on an afternoon in my grandfather’s garden. It was a vibrant place, bursting with colors and scents that represented the fullness of life. We sat together on a wooden bench...
